Girl who died in raceway crash remembered at Micanopy Middle School

On Monday, students from Micanopy Middle School returned to classes for the first time since the death of 15-year-old classmate Niokoa Johnson on March 23.

By Carlos E. MedinaCorrespondent

On Monday, students from Micanopy Middle School returned to classes for the first time since the death of 15-year-old classmate Niokoa Johnson on March 23.

Three counselors were at the school of about 70 students for anyone who wanted to talk about Niokoa's death.

Niokoa died after she crashed her race car during a time trial at Bubba Raceway Park at 9050 NW Gainesville Road the evening of March 22. She died the next day at UF Health Shands Hospital in Gainesville.

The school was on spring break last week.

Niokoa was one of 11 ninth-graders at the school, said Bobby Johnson, the school's principal, who is not related to Niokoa's family.

"My group of ninth graders were very tight knit. The counselors talked to them and there was one young lady that had a continuing conversation with one of the counselors," Johnson said. "They are subdued, but the kids seem to be responding well."

Johnson remembered Niokoa as a quiet but happy teenager.

"She was gregarious in her own way. She will probably be remembered for having a perpetual smile on her face. She had a very loving heart," he said. "Our hearts are heavy, but they are also inextricably interwoven with the joyful memories of her."

On March 22, Niokoa was driving a Nissan Sentra, which was set up for racing, when she lost control of the vehicle and crashed into a concrete barrier. It was her first time driving the car and she was the only one on the track at the time. She first was taken to Ocala Regional Medical Center and then was flown by helicopter to Shands, where she died.

Niokoa had long dreamed of becoming a race car driver, according to family members. They said she was fearless and had been around racing in various forms for years.

"She's been around it all her life," her father, Richard Johnson, said. "It was something she dreamed about."

Kristen Black, who taught Niokoa, remembered her fondly.

"She loved being active, hanging out with her friends, and listening to music," Black wrote in an email last week. "It seems unfair that someone who was so full of life should lose it at such a young age. The thing that comforts me is knowing she was living her dream when she died. Some people never even attempt their dreams, let alone realize them."

The girl's family also has been comforted by similar thoughts, Bobby Johnson said.

"I spoke with the father at the services. He said she was doing something she really loved," he said.

Niokoa's funeral was Thursday. She was buried in the historic Micanopy Cemetery.

Bobby Johnson said the school plans to install a plaque on the grounds in honor of Niokoa.